Southern California -- this just in

Bill Clinton to join Gavin Newsom in L.A. today to support mayor's bid for governor

October 5, 2009 | 11:03
am

Former President Bill Clinton, who last month pledged his support for Gavin Newsom’s bid for California governor in 2010, will join the San Francisco mayor this afternoon for a visit to Los Angeles City College and a fundraiser.

Clinton and Newsom will visit a science and technology building at LACC and talk with students “about education for green technology jobs, including those in solar installation, weatherization and more,” Newsom campaign officials said in a news release.

The LACC event is not open to the public.

Later this evening, Clinton will be Newsom’s guest at a private fundraiser for his gubernatorial campaign.

Clinton has history with one of Newsom’s expected rivals for the Democratic nomination, current California Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown, whom Clinton ran against in 1992 for the Democratic presidential nomination.

The tensions peaked at a debate in Chicago, when Brown said Clinton had funneled “money to his wife’s law firm for state business.”

“I don’t care what you say about me, but you ought to be ashamed of yourself for jumping on my wife,” Clinton snapped, shaking his finger at Brown. “You’re not worth being on the same platform as my wife.”